(by Julie & Philippe, ilovemahj.com)
This page provides clarifications for several hands on the NMJL 2025 card which have caused confusion, including a couple that contained errors in the original printing of the card.
2025 - LINE 1 (FFFF 2025 222 222): Pungs can be either 2s or 5s, but both must be the same number.
2025 - LINE 3 (2025 222 555 DDDD): This is a three-suit hand. Since zeros are neutral, the "2025" grouping can be in any suit. The 2s and 5s will be in the 2nd suit and the kong of dragons in the 3rd suit.
2468 - LINE 2 (FF 2222 + 4444 = 6666 / FF 2222 + 6666 = 8888): This addition hand is in 3 suits and must use the numbers exactly as shown on the card.
2468 - LINE 4 (FFFF 2468 222 222): Pungs may be 2s, 4s, 6s or 8s, but both must be the same number. This rule also applies to Lines 7 and 8 in the 2468 section and to several other hands on the card - be sure to check the notes in parentheses for each hand. (Printing Error: During the first print run of the standard size card, this hand was mistakenly printed in one color, instead of three.)
ANY LIKE NUMBER - LINE 2 (FFFF 11 111 111 11): This hand contains 2 identical pairs. By separating these 4 tiles into 2 pairs, the NMJL has effectively restricted the use of Jokers, and the ability to claim a discard for these groupings, unless it is the last tile needed for Mah Jongg.
CONSECUTIVE RUN - LINE 3 (FFFF 1111 22 3333 / FFFF 1111 22 3333): Printing Error: During the first print run of the large size card, the second version of this hand was incorrectly printed in one color (green), instead of three colors.
CONSECUTIVE RUN - LINE 7 (112345 1111 1111): This hand starts with five consecutive numbers. Any one of these consecutive numbers can be made into a pair, with the rest remaining as singles. The two kongs must match the number chosen for the pair. Example: 3 4 55 6 7 5555 5555.
13579 - LINE 4 (FFFF 1111 + 9999 = 10): Only the numbers exactly as shown can be used. The kongs of 1s and 9s must be in the same suit, while the single 1 must be in a different suit along with a Soap, representing the zero, to make "10". Since the Soap is being used as a zero it is neutral and does not affect the suits selected for this hand.
WINDS-DRAGONS - LINE 2 (FF 123 DD DDD DDDD): The note states “any 3 dragons.” This means that none of the dragon groupings are connected to the suit used for the run of three consecutive numbers - the kong of dragons does not need to match the suit used for this run, even though they are printed in the same color on the card.
If you would like us to clarify any other hands on the NMJL 2025 card, please send a message to info@ilovemahj.com and we’ll add it to this list.